Matthew Aaron Downs

Matthew Downs passed away on July 1, 2012 at Fairfax Innova Hospital. He was born on November 15, 1983 at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. He was active in community affairs in Herndon and Leesburg. Matthew participated in football and wrestling and graduated from Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia in June 2002. He was a qualified pressman and bindery operator for a local printing company. Matthew obtained his Eagle Scout award while he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 159 in Herndon, Virginia. He was lucky enough to participate in treks to all three high adventure sites, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Northern Tier Canoe Base in Minnesota, and Florida Sea Base. Later, he served as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 12 in Herndon. Matthew is survived by his mother, Janice Downs and partner Mike Warner, and his father Steve Downs and his wife Linda. He is also survived by his two brothers, Jeremy and Joe, Jeremy’s wife Rachel, and his nieces, Madeleine and Caroline, all of Leesburg, Virginia. He is also survived by his grandparents, Joseph and Bernardine Downs of Louisville, Kentucky, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Matthew will be dearly missed by all his family and friends who knew and loved him. Now he continues to live on through the vital organs he donated upon his passing. A visitation is planned for Friday, July 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. A memorial mass will be held on July 7 at 10:30 A.M. at St John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, 231 North King Street, at the intersection of North King Street and Union Street in Leesburg. Because of Matthew's love for animals, the family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made on Matthew's behalf to the Animal Program Trust Fund for the Loudoun County Department of Animal Care and Control, 39820 Charlestown Pike, Mailstop #66, Waterford, Virginia 20197